The Virginian (TV Series) Nightmare (1970) User Reviews

Check it out for guest star Joan Crawford

[gatsby91606 · 5/10 · 27 August 2014]

The main attraction of viewing the Nightmare episode is the presence of special guest star Joan Crawford. The screen legend was nearing the end of her career. Like fellow aging movie stars Bette Davis and Barbara Stanwyck, Crawford had limited job offers and accepted guest shots on quality TV series like The Virginian. That's another reason why 60s TV is superior to contemporary fare lacking that kind of star power.

Story is basically routine. Crawford marries a wealthy man with a jealous ne'er-do-well brother. The husband is paralyzed in an accident then dies in a fire. Crawford suffers a breakdown and stands trial for murder. The Virginian helps to uncover the truth. Trampas is absent in this episode.

Crawford's performance is surprisingly low key. By this point, her style had become over-the-top grande dame movie star and don't you forget it. She is heavily made-up though the camera isn't gauzed as some of her other roles of this period. You can snicker a bit at the 66-year-old being with Michael Conrad whose 21 years younger and there's no mention of younger man-older woman.

It's always worthwhile checking old TV shows when featuring a star of such magnitude.

Joan spoke about this episode

[daleholmgren · 6/10 · 3 January 2017]

On YouTube there is a David Frost interview of her as she had completed The Virginian episode, the last thing she would do before her final silver screen essay, "Trog". The interview comes complete with an interview of the director of this Virginian episode, Robert Gist. The interview is divided into 4 parts, and Mr. Gist's interview starts at Part 3. Her character is described as spending the early part of her life on a gambling ship, dealing Tarot cards, and who has developed ESP, then falls in love and marries, only to have her husband die. The interview also includes a small segment from the show, where Joan confronts the man who set the fire which kills her second husband.

Joan brings an intensity to the screen that many other fine actresses just can't muster. Supposedly by this time she is drinking up to a quart of vodka per day, but in this interview she was clear-headed, articulate, and thoughtful. She praised Mr. Gist for bringing so much out of her. She said Mr. Gist works at Synonon (for addicts) and teaches, in addition to directing.

David Frost asked her to describe what being a star was like, and she smiled broadly and said one word - "delicious".

Crawford's nightmare

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 12 October 2022]

The first thought I had when viewing this episode of 'The Virginian' is how much respect James Drury has for Joan Crawford in their scenes together. He is every bit the star, and he goes out of his way to make her feel comfortable in this important guest role. I also thought Sara Lane showed a lot of respect towards Miss Crawford, especially the scenes where Crawford's character goes to stay at the Shiloh ranch after her home has been gutted by a fire. There's a nice bit of bonding when Miss Lane is sewing a button on a blouse in the living room.

Crawford was at an interesting point in her acting career...you know with her, you are not going to get a kind old grandmother character. She is certainly playing younger than her actual age, but it works for this story since the woman is accused of being delusional.

The themes are rather dark for this episode, and as a result, the cinematography plays up the shadows and sinister images we see. What we really have is a western-horror drama, and the title of the episode supports this idea.

Crawford has several outstanding scenes during the 74-minute running time. The first notable scene, which is a masterclass in acting, is where she witnesses her home burning and realizes her husband (Michael Conrad) has just died. The horrific expressions, the anguished speech, crumpling up in a heap as the Virginian offers emotional support...she's excellent.

This is followed by a scene when she's in bed recovering at the Shiloh ranch, and she recounts not just one but two highly dramatic events. These events include the time her first husband died years ago on a riverboat, then she recounts what we had just seen when her second husband died in the house fire. It's a long soliloquy, brimming with emotional moments, and she is in total control.

The end of this scene has her abruptly turn on her brother-in-law (Steve Sandor) whom she blames for the second husband's death. She switches from fragile and broken to powerful and angry. The poor guy doesn't know how to react!

The next big scene for her occurs near the end of the episode, when she gets to shoot the brother-in-law after he has tied her up and is about to kill her. It felt like something out of Mildred Pierce.

I'd also like to mention the trial sequence...especially where she watches Lane's testimony being undermined by the prosecuting attorney.

She now realizes that she will be hanged, and even her friends' efforts to help seem to be working against her. Crawford is a seasoned pro who knows when to dial it up and knows how to punch up lesser throw-away lines. As a result, she is able to etch a memorable performance that stays with you long after the episode is over.

When I watch Joan Crawford on screen, I never feel like I have been cheated. I always feel as if she has come into it totally prepared. She does everything she can to bring the character, with all the sordid details of the plot, to life. That's the type of entertainment I enjoy. This a very entertaining and engrossing episode of 'The Virginian.'

Worst

[bornagain710-331-212635 · 1/10 · 18 July 2019]

This was truly the worst episode ever seen on the Virginian. As usual Joan Crawford was her horrible self.

No that wasn't Joan, it was JOAN.

[birdgoog · 10/10 · 20 July 2020]

Actually just here to mention that @khristyjeff (reviewer who called this: Great Episode i believe?) mentioned what a wonderful job "Joan Fontaine" did in this episode. While i'm sure Ms Fontaine was a great actress, she wasn't on this program. Now if we were talking about Joan CRAWFORD then i agree. She was an excellent actress who did a fine job on this show.

Ps Ya know i don't care if maybe a younger less informed kid wrote such a review. i mean -tsk tsk- there's just no excuse for not doing the research necessary to write a simple (correct) review. Just doesn't sit well with me. imho it's a lack of respect for two highly respected actresses. That's unacceptable.

Good episode

[jennyelaine-03685 · 8/10 · 29 October 2019]

I don't know why this episode has such bad ratings. I thought it was really good, with an interesting mystery and nice ending. Joan Crawford was a bit old for this part, but still a very good actress. I very much enjoyed this one!

Some great acting - and a good story

[deswind-15062 · 10/10 · 20 January 2022]

I gave this a ten rating to create some balance here. I found this episode to include great acting by Joan Crawford and the storyline was good.

It is definitely worth watching. Perhaps some of the posted reviews lowered my expectations and I almost did not watch this. I am glad that I did watch it. Certainly, the acting was fabulous. And the theme is still timely today.

I love Joan Crawford and The Virginian

[crawford · 9/10 · 11 July 2022]

I love the Virginian and I adore Joan Crawford, so, I really enjoyed this episode. I've seen so far every Joan performance so this was new to me. Loved it, what a star.

Great episode

[khristyjeff · 8/10 · 4 December 2019]

Although this episode was a bit different from most others, I really enjoyed it. A decent mystery, some suspense, and what I thought was a fine performance from Joan Fontaine. (even though I've never seen any of her prior work). A good watch.